Attack pit bulls euthanized

Published: July 9, 1997 12:00AM

By Wendy Sufrin
Record-Courier staff writer
Two pit bulls who seriously injured a 12-year-old boy during a June 26
attack in Streetsboro were euthanized by the Portage County Dog Warden's
office Monday. The dogs, which could have been destroyed Sunday after the
end of a required 10-day quarantine period, were being held at the kennel
as evidence. Having received clearance from the Portage County Prosecutor's
office and the Portage County Health Department, Portage County Dog Warden
Jon Barber had the dogs destroyed Monday, one day after the quarantine period
expired.
Rain and Storm, mother and grown pup, respectively, attacked 12-year-old
Jason Fischer on June 26 in Streetsboro when he and a friend approached
the Grubaugh residence at 9358 Page Road to visit a friend. Jason was transported
to Cleveland's MetroHealth Medical Center with some 30 bites and puncture
wounds to his chest, hip, arms and legs.
Jason was released from the hospital last week and faces extensive physical
therapy, said his father, Carl Fischer.
The dogs were restrained by an invisible electronic fence surrounding the
Grubaugh property. Police charged dog owner Janice Grubaugh with a fourth-degree
felony count of confinement of a vicious animal. Grubaugh faces a possible
six to 18 months in jail and up to $2,500 in fines. She is scheduled to
appear in Portage County Municipal Court in Ravenna at 8:15 a.m. July 17.
Immediately after the attack, the Grubaugh family signed a release authorizing
the dog warden to euthanize the dogs. Before that could happen, the health
department had to confirm that the dogs didn't have rabies ``so the child
doesn't have to go through the (rabies) shots,'' Barber said.
The owners were not present at the shelter Monday, according to a spokeswoman
at the kennel.